Outgoing safety chief tapped for judgeship

The Lowell Sun

Updated:
01/05/2013 06:35:26 AM EST

State House News Service

BOSTON -- Gov. Deval Patrick on Friday nominated departing Public Safety Secretary Mary Beth Heffernan for a circuit judgeship on the district court and resubmitted a nominee for a western Massachusetts judgeship who was rejected by the Governor's Council last year.

"I have great respect for her and know firsthand her strong commitment to public service. She will be an excellent judge," Patrick said in a statement regarding Heffernan's nomination.

Heffernan intends to remain on as secretary until Jan. 11 when she will step aside for incoming Public Safety Secretary Andrea Cabral, who is giving up her position as Suffolk County sheriff to join the administration.

Patrick nominated Heffernan despite the recent controversy over her involvement in the hiring of Sheila Burgess as highway safety director despite Burgess' lengthy record of driving infractions.

Heffernan got her start in public service on the staff of former Sen. Patricia McGovern. She was later selected for a clerkship with Appeals Court Judge Charlotte Anne Perretta. After that, she worked for two years at Palmer & Dodge, three years as a Middlesex County prosecutor, four years as executive director of the Massachusetts District Attorneys' Association and seven years as a health-care attorney.

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Patrick on Friday morning also nominated veteran Pittsfield attorney Michael McCarthy for a Southern Berkshire District Court judgeship and resubmitted to the newly sworn-in Governor's Council four nominations that were pending under the old council.

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